Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Noodle"

To sign 'noodle', form 'I' handshapes with both hands by extending your pinky fingers and curling the rest of your fingers inward. Start with your hands close together in front of your chest, palms facing each other. Move both hands outward to the sides while making a wavy, squiggly motion, as if you are tracing the shape of a long, curly noodle in the air.

Examples Using "Noodle" in a Sentence

1

I love eating chicken noodle soup.

To sign this, start with the sign for 'chicken', then sign 'noodle' using the wavy pinky motion, and finish with 'soup'. Be sure to express enjoyment on your face to show that you love eating it.

2

Do you want noodles for dinner?

Sign 'you want', then 'noodle', and finish with the sign for 'dinner'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly at the end of the sentence.

3

These noodles are very spicy.

First, point to the food to establish what you are talking about, sign 'noodle', and then sign 'spicy'. Use an exaggerated facial expression, like a slight wince or an open mouth, to emphasize the intense heat.

How to Sign "Noodle"
To sign 'noodle', form 'I' handshapes with both hands by extending your pinky fingers and curling the rest of your fingers inward. Start with your hands close together in front of your chest, palms facing each other. Move both hands outward to the sides while making a wavy, squiggly motion, as if you are tracing the shape of a long, curly noodle in the air.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'noodle' is highly iconic, meaning it looks exactly like the concept it represents. In American Sign Language, classifiers are often used to show the size and shape of objects. Here, the extended pinky fingers act as a visual representation of the thin, stringy nature of pasta. Meanwhile, the wavy outward motion perfectly mimics the curly, squiggly, and unpredictable shape of a cooked noodle resting on a plate or in a bowl.
Signing Tips
When signing 'noodle', focus heavily on the wavy, squiggly movement as your hands move apart. The motion doesn't have to be perfectly symmetrical, but it should clearly convey the curly, irregular shape of a cooked noodle. Keep your wrists and arms relaxed and fluid to make the movement look natural. If you make the motion too rigid, it loses the visual representation of soft, cooked pasta. Practice the wavy motion slowly at first, then speed it up as you get more comfortable.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is pulling their hands apart in a straight, flat line without adding the wavy motion. Without the squiggles, this movement looks more like the sign for 'line' or 'string', which changes the meaning entirely. Another frequent error is using the index fingers instead of the pinky fingers. Remember that the 'I' handshape is crucial here, as the thin pinky fingers are meant to represent the thinness of the noodles.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Noodle" in a Sentence
1

I love eating chicken noodle soup.

To sign this, start with the sign for 'chicken', then sign 'noodle' using the wavy pinky motion, and finish with 'soup'. Be sure to express enjoyment on your face to show that you love eating it.

2

Do you want noodles for dinner?

Sign 'you want', then 'noodle', and finish with the sign for 'dinner'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly at the end of the sentence.

3

These noodles are very spicy.

First, point to the food to establish what you are talking about, sign 'noodle', and then sign 'spicy'. Use an exaggerated facial expression, like a slight wince or an open mouth, to emphasize the intense heat.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign used for all types of pasta?

This sign is a great general term for long, wavy noodles like ramen or egg noodles. However, specific types of pasta, like macaroni or spaghetti, have their own distinct signs that mimic their unique shapes. When in doubt, 'noodle' is widely understood.

Why do we use the pinky fingers for this sign?

In ASL, the choice of handshape often reflects the physical characteristics of an object. The pinky fingers are the thinnest fingers on the hand, making them the perfect visual tool to represent the thin, delicate, and stringy strands of a noodle.

Can I change the motion to describe different noodles?

Absolutely! ASL is a very visual language. You can adjust the size of the wavy motion to be more descriptive. Smaller, tighter waves can represent thin ramen noodles, while larger, looser waves can describe thick, wide egg noodles.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!